Dipping With An Oblique Pen Holder

[sinjun]

I am new to the forum, but I have enjoyed reading through the topics. Just brought an esterbrook from the classifieds and I can't wait to try it out. I am an old hat with a fountain pen, but I am looking to restart my calligraphy and focusing on Spencarian and copperplate. My question is what do you use or where can I find an appropriate inkwell for dipping with an oblique pen holder. I have a variety of ink bottles and so far my parker bottle is the only one that allows dipping. Thank you in advance.

 

Sinjun

[caliken]

My question is what do you use or where can I find an appropriate inkwell for dipping with an oblique pen holder. I have a variety of ink bottles and so far my parker bottle is the only one that allows dipping. Thank you in advance.

 

Sinjun

The ideal container has to have a wide enough opening to allow for the easy dipping of an oblique penholder, whilst being shallow enough to prevent too much ink being constantly exposed to the air.

 

I use a small glass jar which was originally used for some kind of cosmetic cream. It's 60mm diameter with an internal measurement of only 30mm deep. It has a heavy solid glass base which gives it plenty of stability. As it's wider that it's deep, it's unlikely to get knocked over.

 

Ken

Edited November 9, 2011 by caliken

[smk]

I have collected a few of the small jam jars. The mouth of these jars is wide enough for the oblique holder. They hold a good amount of ink and seal tightly enough so the ink doesn't dry out.

 

Salman

[andybiotic]

And I've seen people using a brush to brush on the ink.

[Vulcan1066]

I cleaned out an old carmex jar, back when they were still made of glass, and used it in the past

[Paddler]

I am using an old Pelikan "Fount India" bottle. It has a zig-zag design that holds the ink even with the lip. A Mont Blanc shoe bottle would perform the same function.

[caliken]

I am using an old Pelikan "Fount India" bottle. It has a zig-zag design that holds the ink even with the lip. A Mont Blanc shoe bottle would perform the same function.

From memory, I think that the neck of the Mont Blanc shoe bottle is too narrow to accommodate an oblique holder (?)

 

 

Ken

[Paddler]

I am using an old Pelikan "Fount India" bottle. It has a zig-zag design that holds the ink even with the lip. A Mont Blanc shoe bottle would perform the same function.

From memory, I think that the neck of the Mont Blanc shoe bottle is too narrow to accommodate an oblique holder (?)

 

 

Ken

 

Perhaps my oblique pen holder is of unusual design. I can dip a nib into either bottle to wet it above the "breather" hole. The end of the holder won't fit in the bottle mouth at the same time, but it doesn't need to. The bottle design holds the surface of the ink near the top of the bottle mouth and permits an easy dip.

[caliken]

Perhaps my oblique pen holder is of unusual design. I can dip a nib into either bottle to wet it above the "breather" hole. The end of the holder won't fit in the bottle mouth at the same time, but it doesn't need to. The bottle design holds the surface of the ink near the top of the bottle mouth and permits an easy dip.

 

Thanks - I stand corrected!

 

Ken

[bigstick]

craft and artist shops typically carry empty 1 oz (30,ml) bottles for sale. I bought half a dozen for this purpose, for diffrent colours.

[Edgar Allan Bo]

And I've seen people using a brush to brush on the ink.

 

I did this too with oblique holders, it was the easiest way to put ink on the nib.

[Randal6393]

Another vote for using a brush. Best way to get just the right amount of ink onto the nib. Dipping works but often results in too much ink and flooding. So, for most work, a small artist's brush or bristle brush just works out best.

[sinjun]

Thanks to all! I sincerely appreciate all the good ideas!